NHL Odds: Stanley Cup Finals

Writing by admin on Tuesday, 5 of June , 2007 at 12:27 pm

The Ottawa Senators made the Stanley Cup final worth watching on Saturday night by escaping a possible 3-0 series deficit with a 5-3 win to now trail the Anaheim Ducks 2-1.

The return home was just what the Senators’ offense needed as they scored more goals in Game 3 than they did in Games 1 and 2 combined. Ottawa is still trying to get their big three weapons in gear after Daniel Alfredsson got on the board with a controversial goal in Game 3, but Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley were both shut out again. With Spezza and Heatley still firing blanks, the Sens still got past the Ducks thanks to goals from secondary scorers like Chris Neil, Mike Fisher and Dean McAmmond. McAmmond scored what turned out to be the game-winner on Saturday night, but he’ll likely be watching from the sidelines on Monday after a shot to the head from Chris Pronger knocked him out. Ottawa did catch one break from Pronger’s latest assault, as it cost the Norris Trophy nominee a one-game suspension, meaning he’ll be watching Game 4 from the sidelines with McAmmond. It’s doubtful they’ll be sitting together, though.

Aside from Heatley and Spezza, the Senators’ biggest disappointment in Game 3 was goaltender Ray Emery. Despite losing both Game 1 and 2 Emery played much better in the losses, and let in three weak goals to Anaheim on Saturday night. Emery saved himself in the third when he stopped Todd Marchant on a shorthanded breakaway when Ottawa only had a one-goal lead. Emery’s counterpart Jean-Sebastien Giguere also took a step backward in Game 3, but really he had nowhere to go but down after pitching a shutout in Game 2.

For Anaheim to take back control of the series they’ll need to resuscitate their strong forecheck that disappeared in Game 3. One bright spot for Anaheim in Game 3 was the performance of the Ryan Getzlaf/Dustin Penner/Corey Perry line. Getzlaf and Perry each had a goal and an assist, while Penner picked up a pair of assists.

Puck drop for Game 4 is 8:00 pm ET on Monday night, with the Senators listed as -200 favorites on home ice.

Category: Online Hockey Betting

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